HSEM is a department of County government and is comprised of the Chief and staff members. This professional county staff has a highly developed professional background and significant training in emergency operations and homeland security. All professional staff members are Certified Emergency Managers though the State of Texas and/or nationally registered. Throughout the last few years they have managed major events associated with hurricanes, tornadoes, winter weather-ice storms, sporting events (such as the Super Bowl and NBA Championships), West Nile Mosquito and pandemic events, etc. This staff has been tested by disasters on multiple occasions and have always excelled.

HSEM partners with municipal emergency managers, emergency responders, law enforcement organizations, non-governmental organizations, county departments, state/federal agencies and volunteer/community organizations to provide a comprehensive (county-wide) emergency management program. Dallas County uses an “all-hazards” approach to emergency management. Building internal and external emergency partnerships and teams is an important part of our job.

Our Mission and Vision

The mission of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is to provide a 24-hour operation to reduce injury or loss of life and property and protect Dallas County residents from all hazards by providing and coordinating resources, expertise, leadership and advocacy through a comprehensive risk-based homeland security and emergency management program that includes prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Duties and Responsibilities

HSEM is headed by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins who serves as the Director of HSEM. He is supported by a full time staff of six led by Chief Doug Bass who serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator. This staff has a highly developed professional background and significant training in emergency operations and homeland security. The majority of the staff members are Certified Emergency Managers though the State of Texas and/or nationally registered.

HSEM works closely with other county departments, local jurisdictions, emergency responders, and the private and public sector to engage in comprehensive disaster planning for Dallas County.

The county HSEM program stems from Chapter 418.1015 of the Texas Government Code, which reads as follows:

Sec. 418.1015. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS.

(a) The presiding officer of the governing body of an incorporated city or a county or the chief administrative officer of a joint board is designated as the emergency management director for the officer's political subdivision.

(b) An emergency management director serves as the governor's designated agent in the administration and supervision of duties under this chapter. An emergency management director may exercise the powers granted to the governor under this chapter on an appropriate local scale.

(c) An emergency management director may designate a person to serve as emergency management coordinator. The emergency management coordinator shall serve as an assistant to the emergency management director for emergency management purposes.

(d) A person, other than an emergency management director exercising under Subsection (b) a power granted to the governor, may not seize state or federal resources without prior authorization from the division or the state or federal agency having responsibility for those resources.

In addition, Section 418.102 further provides:

Sec. 418.102. COUNTY PROGRAMS.

(a) Each county shall maintain an emergency management program or participate in a local or interjurisdictional emergency management program that, except as otherwise provided by this chapter, has jurisdiction over and serves the entire county or interjurisdictional area.

(b) The county program is the first channel through which a municipal corporation or a joint board shall request assistance when its resources are exceeded. Requests that exceed the county capability shall be forwarded to the state as prescribed in the state emergency management plan.

HSEM partners with municipal emergency managers, emergency responders, law enforcement organizations, non-governmental organizations, county departments, state/federal agencies and volunteer/community organizations to provide a comprehensive (county-wide) emergency management program. Dallas County uses an “all-hazards” approach to emergency management. Building internal and external emergency partnerships and teams is an important part of our job.

Prevention Program

HSEM conducts emergency management outreach programs for communities, public events, non-government organizations, volunteer groups, etc. Through these efforts, we provide public educational materials, presentations, and preparedness literature. Our goal is to “get the word out” and provide tips on surviving an emergency such as a tornado, hurricane, winter weather, flooding or terrorism attack. In these efforts, we collaborate with numerous organizations such as the American Red Cross, faith-based organizations, community groups, Dallas County Health and Human Services, and others. HSEM provides a website that provides information on constructing “Family Emergency Plans”, constructing emergency preparedness kits and tips on surviving emergency events.

Using a “color coded” message, that emphasizes an “all hazards” approach; our employees are better prepared to manage major emergency events. HSEM works with other county department to develop emergency plans and procedures to better protect Dallas County employees, facilities and critical infrastructure. HSEM maintains an internal website available to our employees that provides emergency preparedness and planning information.

Mitigation Program

HSEM is the lead agency to work with 22 municipal partners in the development and management of a countywide mitigation program. A County Mitigation Plan has been developed for the purpose of outlining threats and hazards that may impact Dallas County and its municipalities. A Hazard Analysis-Risk Assessment has been conducted to better manage these threats and risks. Municipalities may either collaborate with the County in its mitigation planning efforts or have their own mitigation plan. Mitigation Plans haves a significant impact on the County’s ability to prevent or survive a major emergency event.

Preparedness Program

HSEM provides a comprehensive all hazard emergency planning, training and exercise program. In accordance with State and Federal requirement, HSEM develops, maintains, and updates community-based emergency plans and procedures. These include the County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The EOP mandated under Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code and serves as the “play-book” through which all emergency operations are executed. Other plans include the County Mitigation Plan, Severe Weather Plan, Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), etc. In all, 25 county emergency plans and procedures are periodically tested and validated through emergency training and exercises. In addition, HSEM provides leadership and coordination to internal and external partners and stakeholders to better ensure preparedness programs have active participation and are coordinated throughout the county. The County holds an “Advanced Level of Preparedness” which is the highest level of planning recognition by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

HSEM manages the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) program. The LEPC is a countywide committee that manages the federally mandated hazardous material community right-to-know reporting, chemical inventory, and site-specific emergency planning program. Currently over 1700 Dallas County, facilities are required to report annually and provide chemical information in accordance with Title III of the federal Superfund requirements known as SARA.

Response Program

HSEM maintains a state of emergency operational readiness and vigilance 24/7/365. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully equipped and available for immediate activation by county staff in the event of a major emergency. The EOC becomes the counties “command and control center” to provide county leadership with a central location through which to orchestrate the county response to a major emergency event. The EOC serves as the link between municipalities, to interface with state and federal agencies, for resource management. HSEM maintains an after-hours, on-call duty officer program to ensure county resources are available during day-to-day emergency events.

During major emergency events (such as coastal hurricanes), HSEM may be requested, by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to open multiple emergency shelters and activate a storm re-location center to assist in coastal evacuations. HSEM will work with municipal emergency managers and the American Red Cross to identify and staff these emergency shelters throughout Dallas County. Buses and transport vehicles may be identified and dispatched to assist in transporting affected persons in identified coastal evacuation areas.

Recovery Program

Following a major event such as tornados, HSEM partners with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to manage emergency recovery operations. The recovery process includes participating in damage assessment, providing emergency resources to assist with cleanup operations, tracking disaster cost and FEMA reimbursement. When the event occurs within a municipality HSEM works with the city’s emergency manager, to better ensure they have federal and state assistance.

Interoperability Information Management Project

HSEM has been working with internal and external partners to implement an emergency information management software solution known as WebEOC. The computerized software solution provides a means of sharing emergency information (through the Internet) with identified emergency partners and stakeholders. This interoperability project has currently been implanted throughout the State of Texas and the North Texas Region. HSEM is working with the Dallas County Information Technology Department and others to implement this program countywide, within each municipality.

Employee Emergency Notification Project

HSEM recently purchased a new Employee Notification System through which emergency information may be passed to identify county employees during emergency events. The system pilot project involves both Courthouses and will allow emergency alerts and notifications to be shared with County personnel in real time. This system will be used to pass information on weather emergencies, fire and hazardous materials events, suspicious mail or packages, active shooters (terrorism) events, bomb threats and building evacuations. Messages will be passed through the use of computer emails, cellphones, text messages, etc. This new system will add a significant enhancement to our emergency planning and threat management program within county facilities.

New Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Project

For a number of years Dallas County government has been searching for a location to house a new EOC. The current EOC is small and lacks adequate space to conduct large-scale emergency operations. Recently, the County Clerk has agreed to provide an EOC and office space in a building that he is proposing to purchase for record storage. It is envisioned that the EOC will be moved from its current location in the Records Building to this new facility. This relocation will add more space for the EOC and office space for HSEM. This will free up much needed space in the Records Building for other County uses. We are now in the design phase of this project and look forward to its implementation in 2013.